I was fired after 25 years at Adobe. Now I drive a school bus instead of working in technology.

This as-told essay is based on a conversation with James Strawn, a 56-year-old former senior software quality engineer in Colorado who worked at Adobe for 25 years before being fired in June 2025. difficult job searchhe found himself on a completely new career path: becoming a school bus driver. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

I planned to retire from Adobe on my own terms, with the goal of reaching age 59.5. I always imagined what I would say at my retirement event.

Adobe had other plans.

I have worked at the company for 25 years

For the first eight years I worked at the headquarters in San Jose. I was hired as a contractor in 2000 and was made permanent later that year. In 2008, the company let me work remotely, so I moved to the house in Colorado where I still live.

It was a good job, one I loved most of the time. I started with the Illustrator team and then moved to the Premiere team for over twenty years.

Adobe has always been good to me – I have no complaints. The work could be frustrating, but I could do it. It was excellent working in the technical industry remotely and to earn the wages I was paid.

My resignation took me by surprise

One day last year I received a calendar invite. When I joined, the person started reading the discharge script. I remember my face melting and being in disbelief.

I still had a few weeks before my last official day on the payroll, so I took a family vacation that we had already planned.

When I got back, I spent a lot of time every day looking at internal positions, trying to reach people to ask for favors, and getting the word out that I was looking.

August 1st was my last official day. Of no job plannedI lived on severance pay for a while. My job search at that time was very informal. At that moment I was still thinking: I will find a replacement role; this will be great.

The job search became tiring and humiliating

I filed for unemployment benefits in September. The search became much more official and demanding and took much more time. I did everything I could: I hired a coach. I have attended seminars. I redid my resumeand adjusted it whenever I could.

I looked at technical jobs that paid me at least $100,000 as I ended up making over $150,000 at Adobe, but as time went on I lowered my desired salary.

I didn’t hear anything back, or I heard, ‘This is great. We’ll arrange an interview for you.’ It would be really promising – and then crickets.

It was by far the worst period of my life, career-wise. There were some nice things – I spent more time with my family and slept in – but it was so demoralizing and difficult. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy.

I felt like a failure because according to LinkedIn, it seemed like every other person who was fired had a great job a few months later. I was like, What is wrong with me? I still don’t know why.

It felt like a perfect storm. I’m old, so I suffer from ageism. The technical labor market in particular was competitive. The third part of the storm is AI – filter my resume out before people even see it and cause it panic in the workplace.

I tried to be positive, but it really felt like I would never get hired.

Unemployment benefits stopped

When my unemployment checks expired last spring, I said: I’m not looking for technical jobs. This leads nowhere and just sucks my soul away.

I went to Costco to ask if they were hiring. I tried to sign up at one of the fitness centers in my area, but it was crickets. Eventually my friend started working at the bus shed in the area and said they were looking for school bus drivers.

My first reaction was: No way I do that. But then I thought: it’s time to humble yourself, and it’s a good job. It is stable, with a good schedule. It’s AI-proof and it can be fun.

Another friend who has worked there for years introduced me to the transportation manager and the head coach. We met and had a very good conversation. It was more personal than one technical interviewand the questions were simple, like how to show the kids you care, not how big and beautiful my projects were. They told me they expected a one-year commitment to the job if they were going to train me.

The meeting ended with me asking if I wanted to come back later for a bus ride.

The work is hot, loud and tiring

I got the job, which was a drastic pay cut of my Adobe earnings.

After the first ride I wasn’t sure if I could do it. It was hot, loud and tiring. In tech, you’re always free to walk away from work unless you’re in a meeting or something. This was more in your face and generally physically and mentally exhausting.

I completed two months of training, which included obtaining a commercial driver’s license, significant time on the road, and student management training.

I had the summer off. My family had some savings that we were still living on, and then the school year started in August.

The stakes are much higher as a school bus driver

The first week and a half was very difficult.

Technically, the biggest mistake I can make is a bug that ends up with a user; no one would get hurt.

Like one bus driveryou have to be focused all the time and do everything right when you make a train crossing or a student stop. Children’s lives are at stake, and there is no room for error.

I had a few conversations with my manager and honestly said how difficult it was. But I just stuck with it.

I feel good now and am finally enjoying it, despite some very difficult days. I have everything that involves muscle memory: children’s names and the route.

I drive a few hours in the morning and a few hours in the afternoon, to and from elementary, middle and high schools.

I live in a beautiful area. I see the sunrise every morning, mountains and lots of wildlife. The children are usually quite calm in the morning and well behaved.

I’m still thinking about whether I could do this for a year or five years. But I enjoy it and have no regrets. The supervisors and the bus drivers are all exceptional people, and they have been so encouraging.

The support I have received has been incredible

When unemployment ended, I left social media completely. I just wanted to get it over with. Still, I decided to post about my new job.

The response was incredible. I’ve never gone viral or anything like that, and I wasn’t trying to. There is an online community of people who have been inspired by my story, and they are trying to campaign on my behalf to donate enough money to help me retire early. I’ve set up a memecoin for people interested in supporting my family and me. I still have to make it until I am at least 59 ½, then I can enjoy my pension without penalty.

Unless someone contacts me for a great tech job, I don’t plan on going back. If I decide to leave the bus barn in five years – then I can get full vesting for the Colorado State Pension Fund – I’m sure I’d only look at other lanes.

Have you made a career change or have you been looking for a job for a while? Contact this reporter to share on mhoff@businessinsider.com.